I found the perfect gift for a two year old boy who is obsessed with planes. Right before a b-day…read moreparty for my little cousin, who is twice removed, I found out his new focus was on airplanes. So I headed to, Funky Planet to see if they had anything appropriate. OMG! David one of the owners, assisted me in finding the absolute perfect gift. He showed me some die-cast planes called, Hot Wings. Yep, they're just like Hot Wheels, except they are all different airplanes. Each plane comes with a piece of runway. So the more you buy, the longer your runway gets. The prices of Hot Wings, is reasonable so you will not break the bank while building your fleet. You can even get a control tower for your future pilot. When my little cousin opened my gift, he stopped opening the remainder of his gifts and had to fly his new planes around the room. All the other guest then started asking me where I found such a cool gift. I ended up sounding like a commercial for Funky Planet. Hopefully, my cuz will be getting more planes in the near future. In addition to the two planes, I got my little cousin an airplane themed t-shirt from Grapevine. Grapevine is a children's boutique about a half block down the street. Alton is lucky to have both of these locally owned stores.

Such a treasure right in downtown Alton. I stopped here for Christmas gifts and got something for…read moreeveryone in the family. All kinds of toys, puzzles, games, and more. The prices are super reasonable, and you'll find things you can't get anywhere else, which makes it pretty special. You can even buy yarn, and the owner knits plushies you can buy. Kids will love this place, but as an adult I was just as taken with it.

I miss, The Gingham Buffalo being on Main Street in downtown, Edwardsville. I truly enjoyed…read moreshopping the store and being able to easily find a restaurant to enjoy lunch or Happy Hour. However, here at the new location in Glen Carbon, that is not the case. There's nothing nearby, but the positive is the layout and space of the store is so much better. Browsing the GB makes you feel like you are shopping, RH or Pottery Barn. Also, I am a big fan of Olive and Cocoa, a mail order catalog. My most recent visit, I found several items from the catalog, in TGB and I'd rather buy local, then from a major catalog. This store is amazing, the staff is always eager to help. If you shop like me and don't need help, they are cool with that, too. I can spend my money, without any help. If you're decorating your home, or if you need a gift for mom, your BFF and the school teacher, I'm telling you to come here and shop. I challenge anyone to come here and try to leave without buying something. You'll always find an item you gotta have.

Cute, but they moved out of Edwardsville to the middle of nowhere and didn't have much to offer…read more I'm sad because this could be so much more and I think it used to be better in the other location. Not sure how they can compete with other large home stores with similar offerings at much more affordable prices. Maybe some classes or something to get folks in could help? I think the designs and vignettes around the store are lovely, I just think the merch and such should be a bit more competitive and or novel.

Wow! What a gem! We recently received a gift certificate to this store for my son's first birthday…read more We had never been here before and were very impressed. They have a great selection, everything from seasonal (currently Easter) toys, to dress up, stuffed animals, puppets, baby toys, books, board games, tonies, art supplies and so much more! The staff were helpful and friendly but let us roam around with our toddler without feeling rushed or pressured. All of the products appeared to be good quality and we felt good shopping local rather than Amazon. We ended up purchasing a neat little book that tells an audio story. They had others that were my first Bach book, my first Mozart, my first Ballet etc. that were more musical and less story. So much neat stuff, we spent quite a while in the store and I foresee us coming back for future holidays and birthdays.

This past holiday season, my favorite shopping trips were made to Happy Up. These days, kids get…read moreso much stuff with relatively short enjoyment and/or life spans. I wanted something different for the kids in my life, even if I had to spend a little bit more. My first trip to the store, I got acquainted with the layout, and all the wonderful toys and games filling the space. The second visit, I started to narrow my shopping list. Third trip, I purchased items. The staff was there when I needed them, but didn't hover, and let me browse. There's something magical about shopping for toys you see and touch in person, reminiscing about Christmases past, and dreaming about the one to come. Thanks, Happy Up!

Once again, The Grapevine helped me find a perfect gift for a little person. I had a cousin…read morecelebrating his second birthday and he loves airplanes. When I shared that information with the owner, she knew exactly what I needed. She showed me a cute t-shirt that had an airplane on it with the caption, "Take To The Sky". It was perfect. Now I just had to find out what size to buy. The owner remained patient as I texted the grandma, so I purchased the right size. The t-shirt was considered a summer items and all summer fashions were on sale for 20% off. So I got a great gift at a discount. (Original price was good, too). I paired this t-shirt with a couple of Hot Wings toys from Funky Planet Toys, a fabulous locally owned toy store about a half block down the street. Alton is lucky to have these two children's stores in their downtown. As a bonus, both are women owned.

A little place tucked in between the dollar store and Honey baked ham. I've been coming here for…read moreyears. I never find a lot of stuff, but every once in a while I will stumble upon a treasure. This place has the little booths; one for each seller. The lady behind the counter is always friendly and makes you feel welcome. To me, it's mostly garage sell stuff, but it's a fun place to just look around if you have some time. You never know what you may find. The hours are Monday-Saturday 10:00 to 8:00 and Sunday 10 to 5. Over 50 vendors.

Such a cute little place tucked away by the dollar store. They rent separate booths to each vendor,…read moreso everything is different no matter where you are looking! Every time you stop by, you're always going to find something new and exciting! If you love vintage and antiques, I highly suggesting sipping in here for a look!

Mississippi Mud Pottery has been around for 40 years. That is longer than most marriages in this…read moreday and age. When I shop here, I am not only supporting a local business, I am also supporting a local artist as well. That is a win-win. If any of you have shopped here and walked out without buying a single item, I want to know how you did it. I personally can always find an item or two to buy. I am either adding to my favorite pattern, Mixed Berry or I'm just buying a new random item that I just simply like. The quality of the handmade pottery is impressive and the prices are very reasonable. The staff gives a hippy vibe, which goes right along with the pottery/artist theme. Being a dog dad, I love that their show winning King Charles Spaniel, works the sales floor, like a true champion. When shopping on Broadway in downtown Alton, be sure to stop by Mississippi Mud Pottery. If you're like me, you'll walk out with one or more pieces of beautifully crafted pottery and will not regret it. The pieces can be for you or as a gift.

I just picked up yet another special request item from my favorite pottery store. Ive been shopping…read moreat this store for around 15years. The owner Chad used to let my kids play with clay and the pottery wheel when they were little. There's always a friendly dog in the store greeting customers. Any time I have an idea of something I can't find, I give them a call and they make whatever I dreamed up. This is such a special shop. I feel like family when I shop here. The quality and uniqueness of their pottery is unmatched. Here are a few pictures of my "special" order items they made for me.

We love finding places like this, stocked w/true antiques, carries an eclectic assortment of…read moreEVERYTHING and the prices are truly reasonable and affordable. My wife found several pieces of religious things at great prices. At the end, everything was wrapped carefully and there's lots of parking. Btw, restrooms are in the back of the building and clean and spacious.

This is a store that has antique booths in it but it has other crafty booths as well. It kind of…read morehas a yard sale feel. There was a booth that had tons of old toys that I remembered from my childhood and that was cool. It is worth dropping in because there are a lot of things to look at but I also saw some items that were overpriced. Check it out if you like a collection of random items old and new!

One of our favorite places ! We will always come back and recommend to anyone! Everyone there is…read more incredible!! So many things that are to fall in love for (and to get into trouble with )!

Your Enchanted Crystal is your one-stop shop for all things rocks, minerals, herbs, fossils,…read moremetaphysical goodies, crystal jewelry, and more! This place is just what this area needed and the owners are some of the kindest people out there! Their selection is huge and you can not beat the prices this place offers either! I was even able to have a crystal wrapped while I waited in the shop to wear out. I can not wait to come back and support this great small business while growing my crystal collection!